In addition to its Helpline service, Vetlife continued to provide mental health care through its Health Support service.
In 2023, the service facilitated 198 referrals, connecting individuals with mental health care resources.
The charity also provided over £100,000 of financial support to members of the profession who were facing financial hardship.
Trustee Danny Chambers said: "Within the veterinary community, there is a profound sense that Vetlife belongs to all of us.
"With over 4000 of our friends and colleagues reaching out for support within just 12 months, we urgently need your assistance to ensure this invaluable service continues.
"By becoming a 'Friend of Vetlife' with a monthly contribution from just £2.10—less than the cost of a cup of coffee—you provide us with a steady, predictable income, enabling us to plan and deliver long-term, consistent support to our veterinary community."
https://www.vetlife.org.uk/become-a-vetlife-member
Merial, the manufacturer of FRONTLINE Combo, FRONTLINE Spot On and Merilym3 has announced that Bill Oddie will front its autumn 'Be Tick Aware' PR campaign to highlight the importance of protecting pets from ticks.
The campaign will run throughout September and into October to drive awareness via print, broadcast and digital media.
Merial says the campaign has been designed to raise awareness of ticks and tick-borne diseases amongst vets, pharmacists and SQPs and in turn to educate pet owners on the importance of regularly treating their pets for ticks.
The company is also continuing its partnership with BADA-UK, the tick-borne disease charity whose own demonstration dog, Shaun, recently suffered with Borreliosis (Lyme disease).
BADA-UK founder and Chair, Wendy Fox, said: "The infection highlights the very real risk of contracting tick borne diseases, even for the most well-cared for dogs and tick-aware owners. We find a lot of owners genuinely believe their dogs cannot get ticks because they keep their animals clean and well groomed. This sort of misconception is notable even at canine events where you might expect to encounter the best informed dog owners, but the sad fact is many people still do not take the risk of tick-borne diseases seriously enough."
Roddy Webster Head of Pets UK from Merial said: "It is a pleasure to work with Bill Oddie, a fellow animal lover and expert, to highlight the risk of ticks this autumn. Ticks and tick-borne diseases are an increasing threat, and the risk in the UK is rising. Ticks are considered to be second only to mosquitoes as vectors of infectious diseases around the world. Disease-transmitting ticks can be found anywhere - gardens, forests, parks and even beaches. This campaign is designed to encourage vets, pharmacists and SQPs to educate their clients and customers about ticks, the dangers of tick-borne disease and the importance of regular tick prevention. We're extremely excited about this campaign and we're looking forward to seeing the positive effects."
The RCVS is seeking candidates to run for election to the RCVS and VN Councils.
There are six seats on the RCVS Council and two on the VN Council due to be filled in the 2010 election. Candidate nominations must be received by 31 January 2010; voting papers will then be distributed to all veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses eligible to vote, the election held in March and the results announced early in May. Those elected will take their seats at RCVS Day in July to serve four-year terms.
Jane Hern, RCVS Registrar said: "Like us or loathe us, what the RCVS does impacts directly on the lives of veterinary surgeons and nurses, their clients and patients. Getting regulation right is something that all Members and Listed/Registered VNs have power to influence.
"We know from the reaction we get when we propose changes or ask for your comments that vets and VNs are not backwards about coming forwards," Jane continued. "There has been a substantial rise in the number of vets voting, since a low point in voter turnout was reached in 2002. So, if you know someone you think is up to the job, why not persuade them to stand?"
All prospective candidates need to provide the signatures and registered/listed addresses of two proposers, and should also submit a short biography, 'manifesto' and photograph for inclusion in the elections booklets. Nobody can nominate more than one candidate, and no current member of the RCVS Council or VN Council may nominate anyone.
Newly elected RCVS Council members should expect to sit on at least one committee which, together with Council attendances, means a time commitment of at least six to eight days a year. Those elected to the VN Council should expect to spend approximately six to eight days attending Council meetings, working parties and subcommittees. Both RCVS Council and VN Council members are permitted to claim certain expenditures arising from Council-related duties and their employers can also claim a standard day-rate for loss of earnings.
Nomination forms and full details relating to RCVS Council nominations can be downloaded from www.rcvs.org.uk/rcvscouncil10 or obtained by contacting the Executive Office (020 7222 0761 or executiveoffice@rcvs.org.uk). Nomination forms and details relating to the VN Council will be online shortly at www.rcvs.org.uk/vncouncil10 and can also be requested from Annette Amato (020 7202 0788 or a.amato@rcvs.org.uk).
All nominations must be made in writing on the prescribed form and received by the Registrar on or before the closing date of 31 January 2010.
Veterinary training provider Improve International has opened training facilities at its new European head office, near Swindon.
The company says its relocation to Alexandra House Conference Centre is a strategic move, allowing it to offer residential courses, new programmes and extended courses, as it challenges the industry to re-think its approach to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and postgraduate qualifications.
Nick Fowler, General Manager of Improve International said: "As a training company founded by vets for vets, we want to harness the passion and experience which can be found throughout the profession and nurture a desire for lifelong learning.
"Training shouldn't become a CPD 'tickbox' that's cumbersome to fit around practice commitments. That's why we have moved towards a far more flexible modular programme, where we can design a personal development plan around an individual's career aspirations - whether they are vets in general practice, vets with special interests, a veterinary nurse, or a practice manager.
"Having the very best facilities in which to train is integral to this plan, so having outgrown our centre in Cricklade, we were keen to find new premises which would meet all our needs. Although it's an unusual scenario to move into an established conference and events centre, we felt that the facilities offered by Alexandra House - from the fully serviced training rooms to the uniquely designed practical suite, 5 star bedrooms, acres of grounds, on-site leisure complex and great food - would all enhance the training experience of our delegates."
A separate wing of Alexandra House has been converted into Improve International's office space, training rooms and a 700 square feet state-of-the-art practical facility which the company says will be one of the finest available in Europe.
Improve International will open a second sister centre at Cranage Hall in Cheshire, also part of the Principal Hayley conference group, within the next 12-months.
Information about courses and facilities is available at www.improvecpd.com
The Veterinary Karting Championship, organised by NVS, is proving a huge success, according to the company. At the half way stage of the championship, around two hundred drivers have already participated in regional events in Manchester, Edinburgh, Essex, Surrey and Reading.
Drivers arrive following evening surgery and change from veterinary uniforms into their race suits. All drivers receive race and safety briefings before heading off to meet their team mates and get a feel for the track during the practise session.
Racing lasts for an hour and a half, during which time teams have to use clever strategies and tactics to remain in pole position and avoid eviction from the track for foul play. At the end of the evening, all competitors get a goody bag and jacket, with each member of the winning team receiving a bottle of champagne, a trophy and certificate.
Caitrina Harrison, Sales & Marketing Director at National Veterinary Services, said: "All the evenings have been great fun and have certainly shown the competitive side of the veterinary profession. The ladies have definitely given the men a run for their money, especially in Scotland. Some drivers have been so inspired by the events that they are looking to host their own inter-practice championships next year."
The teams that have qualified so far for the National Final are: Manchester Bears, Essex Panthers, Scottish Bears (pictured), Reading Bears and Camberley Elks. There will be a break from racing over the festive period, with the next regional heat taking place in Bristol on Tuesday 18th January. Further heats will then be held in Birmingham, Loughborough, Aylesbury and Leeds, followed by the National Final on Sunday 20thMarch in Milton Keynes.
Caitrina Harrison continues: "NVS would like to thank the event sponsors for their support, which has been invaluable in making the championship happen. The championship sponsors are Agria Pet Insurance, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Dechra
Merial has announced the UK launch of updated ProteqFlu, the first and only EI vaccine in Europe to contain a clade 2 strain.
The company says the new vaccine is also the only one that is fully compliant with the latest 2014 OIE recommended EIV strains.
Louise Radford MRCVS from Merial said: "The launch marks the UK's first and only fully updated equine flu vaccine that contains both a Clade 1 and Clade 2 antigen which includes protection against the latest Florida Clade 2 strain, Richmond 07. This is a significant step for horse health, and the equine industry as a whole."
Hervé Poulet, Merial's head of BioDevelopment and BioResearch said: "Merial has developed strong and unique expertise in the development of non-replicative recombinant canarypox virus-vectored vaccines for various species and diseases.
"For the development of ProteqFlu, our non-replicative recombinant canarypox vector expressing the EI virus haemagglutinin (HA) is used because of its ability to induce a strong cellular immunity which is an essential component in protecting against this highly contagious disease."
Louise added: "ProteqFlu has also demonstrated its success and efficacy in real outbreaks, particularly during the last major outbreak, in Australia in 2007. ProteqFlu was the only vaccine chosen for the eradication programme."
XLVets, the collaborative group of 45 independent small animal practices, has announced the launch of 'Scratch Below the Surface', a campaign to raise awareness of skin conditions amongst pet owners.
As part of the campaign, practices within the group - which aims to establish itself as a nationwide 'quality mark' for independent care - will be offering skin check clinics for owners who are concerned that their pet may be suffering from a dermatology issue.
Paul Sands, BSc, BMedVet, CertVD, MRCVS, veterinary dermatologist from Scarsdale Veterinary Group, explained the rationale for focusing on skin conditions: "Skin conditions in dogs and cats have many underlying causes and may require a range of treatments and long-term management strategies to keep a pet healthy and itch-free. Summer can be a particularly bad time for sensitive pets as pollens and other allergens are at their highest in the warmer months.
"The Scratch Below the Surface initiative aims to help pet owners recognise the signs of skin conditions in their pets and encourage them to talk to their vet about preventive measures to carry out at home, such as flea and tick control. They will also receive support from their veterinary team in planning long-term management strategies for pets with ongoing skin conditions."
Practices in the group will also be collecting data about the types of dermatology conditions seen, geographical variances, and common and unusual cases.
XLVets says it will be producing case studies, blogs and articles, designed to benefit practices both within the XLVets group and the wider veterinary community.
To find out more about the campaign, visit: www.xlvets-pets.co.uk.
To find out more about joining the XLVets group, telephone 01228 711788.
As part of the University of Bristol, Langford is the only referral hospital in the South West which has an educational facility.
The new academy will also offer access to its Recent Graduate Scheme for vets that have been qualified for less than five years, advanced CPD delivered by specialists, the chance to be involved in research collaborations with Bristol Vet School, and rotating internships and residencies.
Chloe Higgins MRCVS, who is on the Recent Graduate Scheme, said: "I recently did my first splenectomy and having done the abdominal emergencies session last month, it made both the surgery and all the discussion points with the owner a lot easier and less stressful!”
For more information, email: brm@langfordvets.co.uk
Data from the survey will be used as a comparison to previous years (2019 and 2020), to determine whether the changes in puppy buying in the UK seen during the COVID-19 pandemic have returned to their pre-pandemic baseline or persisted into 2021.
Dr Rowena Packer, Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the RVC said: “The COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in the way many of us bought our household goods, with online ordering and delivery a common feature of lockdown life.
"The pandemic also led to changes in the way the UK bought puppies during 2020, due to the many restrictions to travel and social contact during this period.
"Many of these so-called ‘Pandemic Puppies’ became much-cherished companions, helping households cope with lockdown life; however, there are concerns that some owners were duped into buying from unscrupulous breeders.
"We are interested in whether pandemic-related changes in puppy buying persisted into 2021, so we can best support owners of puppies bought during this period going forward."
For more information, visit: www.rvc.uk.com/Pandemic-Puppies-of-2021-research
The survey is at: www.rvc.uk.com/Puppy2021-survey
The course explains what to expect if you’re a veterinary surgeon who has had a concern raised about them.
Clare Stringfellow, Case Manager in the RCVS Professional Conduct Team, said: "We appreciate that concerns can be very worrying, and we hope that, through this course, we can give vets and nurses a better understanding of the process and how to obtain additional support.
“The course will allow participants to understand the different stages involved and the key activities that happen at each point, as well as detailing some of the common concerns we receive and how these are dealt with.”
The CPD course, which includes film and audio content, takes about 30 minutes to complete.
https://academy.rcvs.org.uk
15.3% said they had received written abuse and 13.4% had received online abuse.
One in ten (9.87%) had cited receiving generally negative grumbles from their clients and a small percentage (0.8%) said they had noticed negativity from usually supportive clients.
17% reported abuse relating to the CMA across more than one platform.
On the other hand, the survey also revealed that 22.4% had received support in person, almost one in twenty (4.5%) had received online support, and 2.4% cited they had received supportive correspondence.
Spanish company Vital Dinamic has announced the launch of SD VET, a new stool designed to reduce the physical stress from prolonged standing whilst operating.
The stool is based on a multi-directional rocking design which gives the surgeon a wide range of movement whilst taking the weight off their legs (see video below).
In addition, the company says that SD VET protects the back from postural problems, helps circulation in the legs and puts the surgeon in a more relaxed posture, thereby helping to improve concentration on the task at hand.
For more information, contact: José de Benito, International Sales Director on +34 661 763 887 or email: jdebenito@vitaldinamic.com
The Society for Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) has published its 2015 Fee Survey, which has revealed an increasing divergence between fees charged for routine and unroutine procedures in small animal practice.
SPVS says that small animal practices accounted for the largest proportion of responses to its survey, and that 75.9% of them had increased their fees during the last 12 months. When comparing a 'bundle' price comprising a kitten vaccination course, puppy vaccination course, cat spay, dog spay and consultation, the increase was 4.09%. However SPVS notes that this increase may be artificially low, as it relates to the sort of procedures that are regularly quoted and may therefore be constrained by the marketplace.
Perhaps more revealingly, whilst routine procedures such as vaccination had risen 3.3%, non routine procedures had risen by considerably more: pyometras were up 15.6%, cat dentals were up 17.5% and out-of-hours callouts were up 18.6%.
Equine fees showed an overall drop of 3.5% on the bundle price comprising initial routine examination, five-stage PPE, routine dental examination and float, a colic examination and the cost of sedation / waiting. Although many of the individual equine procedures showed a fee decrease, 79% of equine practices reported that they had increased fees over the past year. The largest decrease in equine fees was for sedating a horse and waiting while the horse was clipped or treated by an equine dental technician, with the fee charged being 12.5% less than last year and ranging from £12.50 to £93.82. Conversely, conducting an ultrasound scan of a mare for pregnancy had increased by 17.3% and ranged from £20 to £62.36.
For large animal vets, the fees are more tightly constrained by the commercial realities of farming and the range of fees quoted tends to be lower. This year, the overall price rise for the bundle of fees comprising routine calving, foot trimming, elective Caesarean and hourly rates for fertility work and herd health schemes was 4.1%. However, only 47.8% of large animal practices reported an increase in fees charged over the last twelve months. The largest increase reported was for paring the hind feet of a cow without sedation, which was up 24.4% and ranged in price from £19 to £70, while issuing a prescription to a farm animal client had decreased by 1.6% and ranged in price from 0 to £48.
Nick Stuart, SPVS president said: "We all know the industry is facing real challenges and this is reflected in the fee survey, with equine practices in particular decreasing many of their prices on last year. However the survey also shows that the fees vets charge vary widely, particularly in the small animal sector. While some of this can be accounted for by differing overheads, it does provide a fascinating insight into the various financial models that exist and challenges practice owners to review how they construct their fees. It also suggests that there is scope for practices to grow their profitability and understanding the market will help them with this.
"We have a new benchmarking service from Veterinary Insights that will help practices to set more accurate fee levels and we will be developing our fee survey further so that it dovetails with this service. I would urge practices to join SPVS and access the invaluable data we produce to help them grow their businesses."
For more information, a copy of the survey, or to join SPVS visit www.spvs.org.uk
Dechra Pharmaceuticals has signed an agreement with Piedmont Pharmaceuticals LLC which gives Dechra exclusive worldwide rights to the sale and distribution of veterinary products which use Piedmont's proprietary soft chew platform to deliver the active ingredient.
The agreement will allow Dechra to conduct studies necessary to achieve regulatory filings and government approvals within the US, Europe and other key countries.
According to Dechra, Piedmont's soft chew formulation is a unique delivery technology which overcomes the traditional problems in formulating a broad range of active drug compounds in a highly palatable chewy treat for both cats and dogs.
Ian Page, CEO of Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC, said: "We are very excited about licensing this unique delivery technology, which will be the first soft chew product with this new patent pending technology in the veterinary market. The agreement will provide Dechra with the opportunity to expand our presence in the companion animal market with a truly differentiated product."Roland Johnson, Chairman and CEO of Piedmont Pharmaceuticals, said: "This is our initial development partnership for our soft chew technology and we welcome the opportunity to license our technology to Dechra. Our goal is to provide pet owners the added benefit of a tasty treat at medicine time, creating a fun and rewarding interaction, while improving compliance with the vet prescribed treatment regimen."
The British Veterinary Association is asking members to put themselves forward as candidates in the upcoming elections for BVA Council.
In eight of the 12 regions BVA is seeking regional representatives who are willing to gather and represent the views of their peers as part of the BVA's policy-making process.
Nominations opened on 4 November in Northern Ireland, Wales, North-East, North-West, Yorkshire & Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, and London and will run for six weeks (until Friday 13 December).
The remaining four regions (Scotland, South-East, South-West, and East of England) will be up for election in 2015 to allow for a level of continuity on BVA Council.
BVA President Robin Hargreaves said: "BVA Council is the overarching policy-making body at BVA and its success depends in large part on the fantastic work of our regional representatives who ensure that every member of our association has the ability to feed in their views and ideas.
"We're looking for people who enjoy getting involved in current issues and who will work hard to put forward the views of their colleagues and to disseminate information out to the wider membership."
Application packs, including an information sheet, role description, and application form, are available to download from the BVA website www.bva.co.uk/council
Candidates in each of the eight regions will be announced shortly after the closing date. The election process will be run by the Electoral Reform Services on behalf of BVA and all members within a region will be eligible to vote. The election will run from Monday 13 January until Friday 21 February. Winning candidates will take up their role at the April Council meeting.
Invicta Animal Health has launched an enhanced version of the ChroMyco Duo dermatophyte test.
The tests use a new round plate with an improved lid design. In addition, the plates are wider and deeper providing 25% more culture medium.
According to the company, the dual plate test with Dermatophyte Test Media (DTM) on one side and an Enhanced Sporulation Agar (ESA) on the other greatly reduces the risk of false positive results.
The test is performed by veterinary staff taking a pluck of fur or skin scrape from the lesion and inoculating both sides. After three to six days of room temperature incubation, if dermatophytes are present, the DTM will turn red and the ESA will turn blue-green.
Rob Watkins, Managing Director of Invicta, said: "We always listen and respond to customer feedback. The new design plates provide reduced condensation levels and by being easier to inoculate will enhance the usability and hence reliability of the test."
The price remains unchanged at £32.00 for 5 tests, from veterinary wholesalers.
For more information call 01403 791313 or email mail@invictavet.com.
Avacta Animal Health and the University of Leicester have announced the development of a new, user-friendly electronic system for diagnosing lymphoma in dogs in the early stages, and for remission monitoring.
Marketed as cLBT (canine lymphoma blood test), this is the first test of its kind to track the remission monitoring status of a dog after undergoing chemotherapy. The test detects the levels of two biomarkers, the acute phase proteins C-Reactive Protein and Haptoglobin.
The new test represents the fruits of a collaboration between Avacta and the University of Leicester in which the company collected a substantial library of biological samples, and the University then brought its statistical and data processing techniques to bear.
Alexander Gorban, Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Leicester, said: "This was a very interesting project, and Avacta was a very dedicated, focused company, with clear goals and objectives. There were very important and useful ideas and concepts involved in the study, and it was a pleasure to know that our expertise as a department was needed and could be utilised through working alongside Avacta's professional expertise.
"The project was very successful, and we would be very glad to welcome more partnerships of this type as it has also been very beneficial to the reputation of the University of Leicester's Department of Mathematics. The project involved full academic and commercial success, which has included a full academic cycle as well as full software development, which makes it an incredibly diverse project to have worked on."
Chief Scientific Officer at Avacta Animal Health, Kevin Slater, said: "The collaboration we have with the University of Leicester's Department of Mathematics is having a dramatic impact on the types of new tests that we can offer to vets and their owners. We are already widening the application of multivariate analysis to other diseases which commonly affect our pets, and subsequently, this work could also have benefits to human health."
The paper 'Computational diagnosis and risk evaluation for canine Lymphoma' by E.M. Mirkes, I. Alexandrakis, K. Slater, R. Tuli and A.N. Gorban has been published in the academic journal Computers for Biology and Medicine and is available at the following location: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2014.08.006
New research, conducted by the WALTHAM-initiated Laminitis Consortium, has raised questions over the assumption that soaking hay will make it safe to feed to laminitis-prone horses and ponies1.
The Laminitis Consortium comprises world-leading equine veterinary, nutrition and research experts interested in collaborating on the important topic of laminitis. It includes the authors of this work: Dr Pat Harris of the WALTHAM® Equine Studies Group, Clare Barfoot of Mars Horsecare UK Ltd and Dr Annette Longland of Equine Livestock and Nutrition Services (ELNS).
Over-consumption of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) has been associated with the onset of laminitis. It has been recommended that hay with a non-structural carbohydrate (WSC and starch) content of less than 10% should be fed to obese animals as well as those at risk of laminitis2 and that hay should be soaked in water before being fed in order to reduce the WSC3,4,5. The study, which was completed earlier this year, examined the loss of water-soluble carbohydrates from nine different hays submerged in water for up to 16 hours. It was presented to the biannual Equine Science Symposium in America in May 2009.
Previous studies have shown that the prolonged soaking of chopped hay in large volumes of water can result in the leaching of nutrients, including soluble carbohydrates. However, because common practice in the UK tends to involve long-stemmed hay, soaked in relatively small volumes of water over varying timescales, the Laminitis Consortium's study aimed to replicate such a practice6.
The nine different hay samples were analysed for WSC and then soaked in cold water. The soaked samples were subsequently analysed at four intervals of 20 minutes, 40 minutes, three hours and 16 hours.
Clare Barfoot said: "The results showed a highly variable leaching of WSC and substantially less leaching than reported previously for chopped hay soaked for 30 minutes.3
"Very few samples reached below 10% WSC, despite prolonged soaking. The concern is that this strongly suggests that soaking may not be sufficient to render some hays safe to feed to horses and ponies prone to laminitis.
"Our current advice is that ideally you should analyse your hay before feeding it to an animal at high risk of laminitis and choose hay with the lowest WSC content you can find. Soaking hay provides an additional safeguard but should not be relied upon."
The study also highlights that if hay is soaked for extended periods, it may not meet the nutritional requirements of the animal because substantial amounts of other nutrients, protein, vitamins and minerals will also be lost 5. In such cases it is even more important that the horse or pony should receive a balanced supplementary feed.
The Laminitis Consortium is continuing its work in this area and hopes to be able to identify practices that will be of greater benefit to the horse owner faced with hay of unknown WSC content.
1Longland AC Barfoot C & Harris PA (2009) The loss of water- soluble carbohydrate and soluble protein from nine different hays soaked in water for up to 16 hours. J. Equine Vet Science 29 (5 ) p 383 - 384, 2 Frank N Equine Metabolic Syndrome J Equine Vet Sci 29 (5) p 259 - 267, 3Cottrell, E., Watts, K., Duarte, S. and Ralston, S. (2005). Equine Science Symposium, 2005, 4Kenny, D. (2007). Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science. 5Warr EM, Petch JL. Equine Vet Educ 1993;5:169-171, 6Longland, A.C. (2009) In preparation.
Normally, students would be required to complete a minimum of 38 weeks of EMS throughout their degree programme in order to gain real-life work experience to enhance their university-based studies.
Under the circumstances, however, Council has decided to allow a temporary flexibility around completion of EMS:
RCVS President Niall Connell said: “Extra-Mural Studies (EMS) are an important and valued part of the veterinary programme, and all students are required to complete a total of 38 weeks across the full programme.
“However, the health and safety of students and staff are paramount, and we are aware that a number of restrictions are being put in place at this time to ensure their safety and minimise the risk of Covid-19 transmission.”
These measures will be subject to further review/extension depending upon the prevailing situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. The RCVS will monitor the impact of this through EMS completion data provided by UK veterinary schools.
Regarding final exams and assessment, the College says it may be necessary for UK veterinary schools to consider alternative methods to assess students in certain areas, but that UK veterinary schools should continue to ensure that any alternative assessment methods continue to be robust, valid and reliable, and ensure students have met the RCVS Day One Competences.
Speakers at the event will include Andrew Sparkes, BVetMed, PhD, DipECVIM, MANZCVS, MRCVS (pictured right) and Ebenezer Satyaraj, PhD.
BSAVA Congress delegates can register for the free symposium, which also includes lunch, at www.tickettailor.com/events/purina/349478.
Libby Sheridan, MVB MRCVS, Purina Veterinary Technical Affairs Manager, said: "Veterinary professionals often see the consequences of sensitivities to cat allergens - which for some, it may even mean relinquishment of the pet with all the emotion attached around that event. This symposium will focus on the consequences for cat welfare and how the profession can help support their cat-owning clients through a breakthrough approach."
The new approach is based on neutralising the major cat allergen in cats' saliva, Fel d 1, through feeding a cat food coated with an egg product ingredient containing anti-Fel d 1 antibodies.
This, says the company, helps to reduce the active allergen transferred to hair and dander during grooming, and ultimately helps reduce active Fel d 1 in the environment.
Dr Sparkes is a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the founding and current co-editor of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, the official journal of ISFM and the American Association of Feline Practitioners. He will be sharing his review of the literature around feline relinquishment.
Dr. Satyaraj is a member of the American Association of Immunologists and the American Veterinary Immunology Association and a reviewer for several journals including the British Journal of Nutrition and Arthritis & Rheumatism. He is also a Fellow of the Academy of Science in St Louis and a leading scientist at the Purina Institute. Dr Satyaraj will be focusing on the studies supporting this important area of research.
The symposium provides 1.5 hours of certified CPD. More information about the science is available at www.purinainstitute.com.
The event is being hosted by Luke Gamble as part of the company's ‘Advocates of Knowledge’ series, and there are £400 worth of prizes to be won:
Advocate Senior Brand Manager Vicky McAlister said: “We want to ensure that we’re delivering CPD in an engaging way, so that vets are still able to upskill in these areas, whilst also being able to engage with other vets in the industry, which is especially important given current times.
"Following the success of the first event, we’re pleased to be back again to host another and are committed to continuing to support CPD progression.”
To register for the event, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/113870170746
The company says both programmes will be delivered using a range of high-quality blended learning techniques, including interactive online lessons supported by notes and videos.
The Small Animal Surgery programme will offer ten practical sessions held at training centres.
Delegates for Improve’s new DL Certificate programmes get both a module tutor – a recognised Specialist - and a dedicated programme tutor to support them through the course.
Alison Babington MRCVS, Business Development Coordinator at Improve International (pictured right), said: "We recently set out our strategy to make the achievement of a postgraduate qualification a realistic goal for every veterinarian and the launch of these new DL programmes will help us to deliver on this goal. Our DL Small Animal Medicine Certificate was launched in January 2019 and has attracted veterinarians from around the world, who are keen to study for a programme in their own time at a place of their choosing.”
“The new DL Small Animal Surgery course focuses on soft tissue surgery in the first year and orthopaedics and spinal work in the second. Reflecting the latest thinking and techniques for small animal surgery, it offers an excellent platform for surgeons keen to extend their surgical capabilities. High-quality surgical videos will support every module which delegates will have access to throughout their programme.
“The Feline Practice programme offers an in-depth look at some of the more common medical and surgical issues affecting cats, as well as those which can be more challenging to diagnose and treat.”
Delegates for both programmes have the opportunity to progress to achieving a recognised qualification, General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert) or a Postgraduate Certificate (PgC).
To register, visit: https://www.improveinternational.com/uk/distance-learning.
Preoperative fasting to reduce the likelihood of gastroesophageal reflux, regurgitation, emesis and aspiration of gastric contents during anaesthesia is routine, but research on the topic is currently thin on the ground.
The survey aims to obtain information on current preoperative fasting recommendations and protocols in dogs and cats which will enable the expansion of knowledge on common practice. Kat (pictured right) said: "It will also allow me to compare current practice to the literature to examine the use of evidence-based practice. It may also highlight areas requiring improvement in small animal practice to ensure patient health and welfare."
The anonymous questionnaire is aimed at a number of veterinary staff including registered veterinary surgeons, nurses, students, animal care assistants, veterinary care assistants and reception/administration staff, as all are involved in giving advice and instructions to clients on this topic.
Kat plans to share significant findings with the profession in due course.
To take part in the survey, visit: https://harper-adams.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/preoperative-fasting-duration-questionnaire
The survey will close on Friday 14th August 2020 at 5:00pm.
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In her opening address, Mandisa said: "When the College was founded in 1844, it would have been unthinkable that a woman, let alone a black woman, would become President of the institution one day. I am immensely proud of this achievement and, while it clearly demonstrates progress, there is still plenty to do in widening access to our professions.”
She said she hoped to use her position as President to act as a role model to young people from under-represented groups, to encourage them to consider careers in veterinary surgery, and to support those already in the profession.
Mandisa, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh in 2008 and an elected member of RCVS Council since 2014, added: “I also take the Presidential baton from Niall to champion a more diverse and inclusive profession with renewed intention, and look forward to playing my part in our upcoming Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan.
“As recent weeks and the Black Lives Matter movement have highlighted, there is more to be done, and we are committed to doing the work necessary. It is essential that we support all members of the veterinary team to work in an environment that is free from discrimination and racism.”
In another first at the RCVS AGM, Matthew Rendle became the first male veterinary nurse to chair VN Council.
The WSAVA has announced that its Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee (AWWC) has launched two new online training modules designed to provide veterinary surgeons with a solid grounding in contemporary animal welfare issues.
Developed as a resource for everyday clinical use, they are intended to enable practising veterinary surgeons around the world to expand their role as advocates for animals.
The two one-hour modules are based on materials developed by WSAVA partner, World Animal Protection in its Advanced Concepts in Animal Welfare educational resource.
The first module addresses contemporary animal welfare science and ethics and the understandings and definitions of animal welfare.
The second has a more clinical focus, covering aspects of animal welfare in practice, including behavioral and end of life issues. Both modules are now available for free download at http://tinyurl.com/hfs6s3s.
Dr Shane Ryan, co-chair of the AWWC, said: "It is vital that veterinarians possess an in-depth and solid understanding of contemporary animal welfare concepts in order to address both questions from the public and misinformation by non-veterinary groups on animal welfare issues. Veterinarians are the champions of animal welfare and we hope that our new online training modules will support them in this role, offering them the knowledge they need in a concise and easily accessible format."
He added: "We acknowledge the vital support of World Animal Protection and AWWC sponsor WALTHAM, as well as the WSAVA’s Friends of Animal Welfare donors for their generous support of this important work."